New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-04
PLYMOUTH TO CALL BERRY,
THE DECISION OF THE ADVISORY COM.
MITTEE
UNANIMOUS SENTIMENT IL THE CONGREGATION
IN FAVOR OF TIE ELOQUENT ENGLIsHMAN
WHAT MR. BERRY HAS ACCOM-

WHAT Mr.. BERRY HAS ACCOM-
PLIsHED AT HOME.
| 1t is virtually settled that the Rev. Charles A.
Berry, of Wolverhampton. England. is IA
be called to Plymouth Church as its pas
| tor. The Advisory Committee OF the church
having charge of the subject of sue
cessor to Mr. Beecher, met last evening,
| and unanimously voted to recommend the selection
of Mr.. Berry. While this does not bind the church,
there is little doubt but that the choice of the COM
mittee will be ratified, inasmuch as the sentiment
in the church is strongly set in the directions
so strongly, indeed, that the committees action ID
virtually dictated by the universally expressed de-
SIRE
The departure for England Of Mr. Berry, who
sailed by the Britannia on Wednesday. enabiei
Plymouth Church to take action which, 20 long az
he remained in America. would have placed HIM ir
| an embarrassing position. Nr. Berry did not CONT
to this country, nor he invited to come,
| ddate for the Plymouth pulpit All the Minister
who have preached there since Mr. Bcccler's deatL
have done so with the distinct understanding that
they not there as candidates. At the same
time, in view of the special interest in Mr. Berry
manifested by Mr.. Beecher after their meeting ID
England year ago. Mr.. Berry has been generally
regarded possibility, and his has from tho
first been on the list Of clergymcn for the
consideration OF the committee. aud il quiles
cerniDg HIM we're set on foot many months ago.
1t was not expected, of course, that the
sentimental influence of Mr. BeecheTs having
| taken fancy to this young preacher would deter
| mine the church TO call HIM, irrespective of his
| qualifications But when he did come. he made al
| once O wonderfully strong impression by his
| mODs-an impression that was deepened ever; time
| he appeared before the church members-n the
pulpit, the lecture room, OF in personal inter.
| course. Plymouth Church had heard mlny hns
| sermons from the ministers who previously
occupied its pulpit, series of sermons, indeed
| markable for quality, and N reference to nearly
| every some members of the church had said:
That is good enough preaching for me-"
| But the remarkable fsatnreOf Mr.. Berry's preacl-
ing has been its acccptabllIty to ALL and the actoa
of the Advisory COMMITTEES is simply a recognition
of the fact that the approval of Mr. B.rry
| is unanimous and enthusiastic. There is
| no divided sentiment, and some of the members
have been almost afraid to let Mr. Berry get OUT
of the country without being called.
MIR. BERRY's ACCEPrABILIrY IN THE PULPIT.
So far as his pulpit presence and utteranccs were
concerned the satisfaction of the congregation wat
complete. Her sermons were well written; his
voice was pleasing; his elocuton was admirable
and without any pronounced English nlectloG
| his theology, 80 far as indicated in the four ser.
mons he preached, was sufficiently liberal and full
of spirituality and Gospel fidelity. He showed
clearly that his thinking was strongly Oh the lines
! ard In the direction of Mr.. Beechers, while
| there was the slightest indication
of initiating Mr. Beecher. This WAS great
pleasure 10 the congregation; for what was most
decidedly BOT wanted in Mr.. Beechers successor,
whoever lie mi ght be, was an attempted imitation
of the great original which Plymouth Church
| recognized gratefully il bad had, and recognized
resretfully it never could have again. To replace
ID. ;,, fan
from the thoughts of the church. which hoped only
to secure one fitted take mp the work the church
had yet to do, and to build on the foundation
already laid.
| USEFUL CAREER IN ENGLAND.
| Mr. Perry thirty-ive years old. At
| twenty-five he took h S first charge. d church III
| Lotion England, and is now in his fonrth year al
| pastor of tho Queen Street gregatonal Church
| in Woverhampton. During this time it Is said no
less than branches have been established in tue
black country round about, for the golfers and
! foundrymcn Five of these have already separate
houses of worship ana fund for building thu
others is nearly accumulated. Mr.. Berry has been
:he moving power IN this great mission enterprise,
and is credited with the knack of getting a great
deal of work out of his associates without seeming
10 bring to tear any special pressure. The homo
| church is in most hounshing condition and is
OF the largest perhaps, the largest outside of
|
| England.
In addition to the successful conduct of his
church work. Mr. Berry has taken decided and
pron nent position with respect to public affairs at
| home II is on him that the duty often falls OK
representing the churches of his denomn nation on
public occasions as he did when Mr.. Beecher was
received by the ministers. and as he did juse
before sailing for America, when he welcomed in
the of the non-coniormi.t churches the
| Church of gland Convention at Woiverhampton,
tbs Archbishop of Canterbury responding He Is
| in politics an English democrat one OF those who,
whether governed by constitutional sovereign OK
by President believes in o Government OF tho
people by the people and for the people. lie Is on
terms of personal intimacy with Mr. Gladstone
who has publicly thanked him for his services "a
the Liberal cause among the workngmen OF
| England.
| WILL Mr.. DERRY ACCEPTf
| A prominent member of the Advisory Committee
| on beng asked by a Tribune reporter, last night
whether it was probable that Mr.. Berry would ac'
| cept the CALL sand il was hoped that he would
When Mr. Berry came to America If be had any
idea that his visit would result in q call 10 the
church it was an idea that he would not a at that
had been approached on the sobject, ard while he
gave no assurances regarding his prooaoe action
| in cnse tho church should call hiin, IL as con,
| iidently expected that he would give such call
very careful and serious consideration hs certain.
sincere and hearty welcome he had received aud
| the place he had won In the esteem OF the people
| Us asked, however, that 10 action should bs
| taken while no remained in America, 40 the
| precipitation Of the question of h.s coming Ia
| Plymouth Church would greatly embarrass him
| at home. . - A.,
Bnt, whie this was considered very proper the
sxlstencs of tho sentiment in the church could not
| MA ant from the public, and intinStons that Mr..
| BERRY might be called had already boon made 10
| the Gewspaper.. Cnder these circumstances, white
| rsspect,nr Mr.. Borry's desire % the letter, tho
Advisory Committee lost no time IN arranging for
| a speca meeting soon Us the Brtarnic was out
| of port, with the result Indicated
| Daring Mr.. Berry's stay here. the committee has
| been in constant correspondence, by cable and by
letter, with frIends In England, ana the evidences
| have multi pled that this yousg man was the right
sort OF man aud that he wonld he hard tn fetj
| 4" and shat" said the Comm tteeman, is the KIND
| of mnn VI want 70 try to got.'